-Generalized anxiety disorder - GAD is characterized by excessive worries about "every day" issues like school/work; performance at various activities; health issues, finances and other family issues, and things going on in the world. People with GAD find it hard to control their worry and often suffer from physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches and muscle tension. Some people with GAD are excessive perfectionists, holding themselves to such high standard that they have a hard time accomplishing their work and daily tasks on a timely basis.

-Panic disorder- individuals with panic disorder have suffered at least two unexplained panic attacks. Panic attacks are a rush of the physical symptoms of anxiety like racing heart, sweating, or shaking. When people have panic attacks, they fear the consequences of these symptoms. For example, many people with panic attacks worry that they are having a heart attack or going crazy.

-Social anxiety disorder- people with social anxiety disorder worry about being judged negatively in social situations. They worry so much about what people think of them that they feel terribly anxious in social situations, or might avoid them completely (e.g., avoid parties, speaking up in classes/meeting, going on dates, etc). Some people with social anxiety disorder only fear performance situations like public speaking or doing other things in front of people like playing a musical instrument or performing in a play.

-Separation anxiety disorder- Mostly seen in youth, individuals with separation anxiety disorder fear being away from their parents or away from home. Some kids worry that something bad will happen to them or their parents when they are apart. Others worry that they will feel anxious or sick when they are apart from their parents and that no one will be able to help them like their parents and that they will be unable to cope independently. Kids with separation anxiety often avoid birthday parties, sleepovers, playdates, after school activities, and other typically fun parts of childhood.

-Specific phobias- Specific phobias are characterized by excessive fear and/or avoidance of specific objects or situations. Commonly seen fears are fears of animals/insects; fear of flying; fear of vomiting; and fear of needles or other medical procedures.

-Obsessive compulsive disorder- OCD is characterized by repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors meant to reduce anxiety or prevent feared outcomes (compulsions). A classical example is fear of contamination from dirt/germs (obsession) and excessive cleaning and washing (compulsions). However, OCD comes in many other "flavors" and can involve fear of causing harm to self or others; fear of making mistakes; fear of throwing things away; fear of acting in an immoral way; or discomfort with things feeling "not just right".

See our Helpful Resources page for more information on anxiety disorders.